Your health information is scattered across many different providers and facilities. Keeping your own complete, updated and easily accessible health record means you can play a more active role in your healthcare. You wouldn’t write checks without keeping a check register. The same level of responsibility makes sense for your healthcare.

A patient’s own PHR offers a different perspective, showing all your health-related information. It can include any information that you think affects your health, including information that your doctor may not have, such as your exercise routines, dietary habits, or glucose levels if you are diabetic.

Also, the PHR is a critical tool that enables you to partner with your providers. It can reduce or eliminate duplicate procedures or processes, which saves healthcare dollars, your time, and the provider’s time. And the information you gather gives you knowledge that assists your preparation for appointments. With your PHR, you can:

• Knowledgably discuss your health with healthcare providers
• Provide information to new caregivers
• Have easy access to your health information while traveling
• Access your information when your doctor's office is closed
• Record your progress toward specific health-related goals
• Refer to physician instructions, prescriptions, allergies, medications, insurance claims, and more
• Track appointments, vaccinations, and numerous other wellness healthcare services